What Programs Need to Be Installed to Watch Netflix on a Computer?

The programs required to watch Netflix on a PC or Mac are a HTML5-compatible Web browser, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, and the Microsoft Silverlight plug-in. Subscribers with the required software can log in at Netflix.com and begin watching content.

Netflix's streaming video-on-demand service is available on smartphones, tablets, computers, laptops, game consoles and smart TVs.

To use Netflix on an Android mobile device, download the free Netflix app from the Google Play Store. Launch the app and register for an account if necessary or sign in and proceed to search for content. On iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads, download the Netflix app from the App Store. The app uses heavy amounts of data, so Netflix recommends using a Wi-Fi rather than cellular connection when available.

Game consoles, including the Microsoft Xbox One and Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Playstation 4 and Nintendo Wii, feature apps for the Netflix service as of April 2015. To download the app for a compatible game console, visit the console's software store and search for the Netflix app. Once the app is installed, create an account or sign in to start watching movies and television shows.